We all have those fears of what you never want to happen in therapy, right? Maybe it’s just me, but I’ve always had a short list of things I hope never happened while in a therapy session. Keep in mind that I have DID, and parts of me have done things I am not aware of while dissociating. Sometimes it is unpleasant to know I have done something I am not aware of, but that’s how it happens.

Here are my top 3, “I hope I never______in therapy.”

Vomit

Take my clothes off

Am face down on the floor

I am going to finish the events that began Tuesday during therapy, and talk about my 3hr. session Thursday. Starting Wednesday morning until Thursday morning, emails from my teenage part (who I’m calling B) and my T were lighting up my inbox. I would always know when my T would respond, but not aware of when B would send one. B was discussing with my T, what could be done about her split part, Scott. How she didn’t want him to suffer, hurt or feel embarrassed. They are best buds, so it was hard for her to make him do something he didn’t want to do, even if it was necessary.

B took us to the session, and began to explain to my T she had a “revelation” while we were running that morning. I couldn’t wait to hear what it was, and yet I had an idea. She went on to say, her whole life she has tolerated pain, no matter how extreme, because what was the point? She realized that by me not saying what we needed, when we are sad, hurt, afraid, in pain, etc. that the consequence was to endure pain. My parents never allowed for my siblings and me to say those things. They weren’t nurturing, loved conditionally, punished severely if you did anything wrong, and were abusive. It didn’t take me long to learn I needed no one but myself, I decided right and wrong, because no else cared….especially the people who were supposed to care.

My T took that information, sat down in front of B and said, “Then tell Scott what you and Kathy need, so he can stop the pain.” In an instant, I felt pain shoot through me and so did B. She could hardly talk between trying to catch her breath from the pain. I began to hear faint whispers from her to Scott, saying please help me, I need your help, I need you. It was terribly sad, but my pain level, like hers, kept me from thinking of nothing other than how to stop the pain.

My T took B’s hand, maybe to somehow comfort her, I’m not sure. B grabbed her hands and as fast as the pain arrived, Scott arrived that quickly. It was as if B connected them, to tell Scott that he as in good hands, and for my T to help him finish. As the pain continued to increase, he kept saying he needed to get up (best idea ever). I was hoping he would do something, but it appeared as though he was leaning over and lay on the couch….nope!

He slide right down, off the couch, and face down on the floor. I began to feel my body shake, not like other times, but more like convulsing. He could barely get words out, as he was reliving the trauma he took from B. My T was sitting in her chair above him, walking him through, reminding him he was no longer there, he can’t be hurt like that anymore, and that he was safe. He struggled to say complete sentences, but basically he was a hero, and took some horrible abuse for his “best friend”.

I was caught off guard when everything came to a complete standstill, no pain, no shaking, no talking, nothing. At first, I thought to myself, “I think I died down here,” but that immediately passed when the convulsing and pain started up again. He began to scare me a little, I wanted it to end for all of us. My T, in her wisdom, took hold of his hand again and began to talk him through the infamous, “Search and Rescue”. As she took his hand, she asked if he could feel it, then said it was time to get out- once and for all! I don’t know why/how that all works, but it does, PRAISE the Lord, it does!

It was a slow transition coming back from him to B and then me. I opened my eyes, my T asked if I was okay, and I responded by asking her to walk out so I could get up, take my things and leave. She chuckled a bit, and said she didn’t think that was a good idea. Then I asked her to close her eyes while I got up, and walked out. Again, same response from her. Honestly, how does a person transition from that place, those events, that information?? I thought it was a great idea!

Courage for me, in that moment, was to be vulnerable, feel the emotions and say what I needed….because wasn’t that B’s “revelation” from the beginning. I took her advice, stayed, cried, shared my honest /deepest emotions, and we processed together. I sat on the floor the whole time, my therapist asked me about my pain level, and realized I no longer felt any of that pain in my “backside”!! Unbelievable, really! This is how God has worked this entire journey, I am constantly amazed by His love, care, protection and mighty hand at work in my life. He is so good, and faithful. He has orchestrated every step of my therapy and I am blessed beyond my wildest dreams.

Sorry for the length of this post. I wanted to share even though it was painful, so, so exhausting and emotional; it was also beautiful that way it ended. No more pain, parts doing hard work to heal, and seeing God work miracles. I left there, took a 2 hr nap, shared the events with my wonderful husband, and that night slept 6 straight hours!!!! WooooHoooo!

I am truly blessed to have an incredibly gifted T, who understands DID, the process, and leading her clients through each step. She is so compassionate, encouraging, and kind. Thank you for your comment. It was intense, but I feel so free and without pain!

Wow, your sessions really blow me away. Scott is a true hero, protecting B and you. I am really touched in reading about your willingness to go to these emotional depths, and your therapist’s strength. This is a remarkable read.

Thank you so much! I wasn’t told it would be easy, but I didn’t think it would be this hard either. 🙂 I have wanted to be on the “fast track” after I read it takes 5-10 yrs to work through the processing/therapy with DID. I wouldn’t change a thing! I know lots of clients quit therapy bc it gets too intense, and I want to keep pushing forward! I appreciate your encouragement.